Officer Matthew Dziergowski was killed after his cruiser was struck by another vehicle at the scene of an accident.

Officer Dziergowski and three other officers had just finished laying out flares at the scene of an overturned tractor trailer. The other officers were outside of their vehicles when the suspect vehicle approached. Officer Dziergowski saw the vehicle approaching and warned the other officers and pulled in front of the vehicle to shield them. His cruiser struck on the driver's side and pushed into a guard rail.

Officer Dziergowski was flown to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The other three officers on the scene were seriously injured. The suspect was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

Officer Dziergowski was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.